Ornamental ironwork structure



Ot. 13, 1953 P. c. LINDMAN ORNMENTAL IRONWORK STRUCTURE Filed April 22, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l PHILIP C. LmDMEAN INVENTOR.

ATTORJVE'Y Oct. 13, 1953 P. c. LINDMAN ORNAMENTAI.. IRONWORK STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet .2

Filed Apr`il 22, 1948 INVENTOR.

ATTORNY Patented Oct. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in ornamental ironwork structures, such as porch and balcony railings, stair railings, fences, gates, trellises, and other ornamental ironwork.

It is one object of the invention to provide ornamental ironwork structures which are so constructed and arranged that all the elements necessary for the erection of the desired structure may be produced in a factory on a quantity basis and transported to the place of installation in a knock-down or disassembled condition and then assembled and erected, at the place of installation, to t the porch or other structure upon which the ironwork is installed and in an arrangement to suit the desires of the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ornamental ironwork structure of the character described which is so constructed and arranged that the pickets, cross members, balusters, scrolls, or other ornamental elements may be interchanged in any desired relationship to suit the desires of the user; such construction also permitting replacement of` damaged elements after the original erection of the ironwork structure without requiring removal and returning the entire structure to the factory for such replacement or alteration.

An important object of the invention is to provide, in an ornamental ironwork structure of the character described, upper and lower rail members having spaced non-circular or eccentric upset portions or indentations formed therein for receiving the ends of the pickets, balusters, scroll work, or other ornamental elements, said cross members or other elements having end portions non-circular or eccentric in cross section whereby said elements are positively held in position and are prevented from turning about their longitudinal axis, said indentations also .I

providing for an improved appearance by covering the ends of the pickets or balusters.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ornamental ironwork structure of the character described which includes means for connecting the horizontal railings to the newel posts, walls or other supporting members, and which connecting means is so constructed and arranged that the ironwork structure may be erected with a proper t regardless of slight errors or variations in measurements.

Still another object of the invention is to provide ornamental ironwork of the character described which may be assembled and erected by unskilled workmen, and wherein additions to or alterations of the ornamental elements may be `eiected in the installation after the original erection.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an ornamental ironwork structure which `is particularly arranged and Aadapted to so constructed and arranged that the angle' of inclination` of the complete structure may be adjusted to t the angle or rake of the ramp or stairway as the structure is installed, whereby the same type of rail may be utilized to lit substantially anyinclined installation.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will readily be apparent from the reading of the following description of a device constructed in `accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of an ornamental ironwork structure constructed `in accordance with the invention and illustrating the same as a porch and stair railing,

Figure 2 is an enlarged, longitudinal, vertical central sectional View of a portion of an ironwork railing constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 3 is an exploded transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, through the lower end of one of the cross members and the lower rail,

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the lower horizontal rail, l

`Figure 5 is a view of the under side of a curved rail section,

Figure 6 is a vertical central longitudinal sec.- tional Aview of a section of inclined ironwork structure,l

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric viewof a portion of a lower rail of the :inclined structure, and

FigureB is an underside plan view of the lower rail.

In the drawings, Figure 1, the numeral I0 designates a newel post positioned at the top of a rise of stairs and supporting a horizontal railing section II and an inclined railing section I 2 of ornamental ironwork. The horizontal railing section includes an upper rail I 3 and a lower rail I4 having secured therebetween cross members such as vertical pickets I5 and scrolls or ornamental elements I6. The inclined railing section I2 includes an upper rail I'I and a lower rail I8 betwen which are mounted cross members in the form of vertical pickets or balusters I9 and ornamental members or scrolls '20. The vertical pickets I5 and the pickets or balusters I9v of the inclined railing section are identical, as are the ornamental members I6 and 2U, whereby, such members are interchangeable between the various horizontal and inclined sections of the ironwork structure, Furthermore, the ornamental members may take other shapes `than `the scroll form illustrated, and the vertical pickets or balusters may be formed of twisted bars, turned bars, or the like.

The details of structure and the manner in which the.I various elementsvr of. the horizontal railing section are assembled is, clearly illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings, wherein it will be seen that the lower railing I4 consists of.' an inverted channel member havinga web portion 25a and sides or fiangesZlarid*25o', sai-d web portion having a plurality 0L unifplmlyspaced eccentric or non-circular, preferably square or rectangular, upset'-l portions?" ini the" form of indentations, displaced portions onde-- pressions 26 formed in its upper surface. Each of the displaced or upset portions formingI the indentatins 2.6`: provides inthe indentations: side walls" 2181i" substantially' normali to the web' and an abutment s'urface'portion 246e'l integrall with the"` web and displaced' inwardly ofthe depresisionor* opening andV inwardly of thesurfaceof theweb remote from thel flanges or sides of" the channel. Ascrew hole or opening 26a isforme'd inthecenter of each upset'portio'n or indentattion and extends'efntirlely through'-v thel horizon"- tal web portion of the channel 25 (see Figures 3 and 4)". The lower rail channel 25 is' securedat each' end' toa newel post Il) or other sulrnpo'rtiner member `(not shown) by means of an v*angl-e bracketv 21 which has oneu slotted arm 21d' secured by means of a bolt 28, extending'through the'slot 29a in said arm" 21a' to the4 newel post or other support'. The" other arm 21'bfof-"the bracket' is providedwithan elongate longitudinal slot. 29h through' which' a bolt 30 may' be inserted to extend through the one of the central screw'holes 26a' nearest the end' of thev channel to securely aflix the rail` channel to. the newel post. The length of the slot 29b'in the' angle bracket. 2l" is preferably substantially equal; to or" slightly greater than ,thev distance' between the' bolt holes' 26a in the'ulo'wer rail members whereby variations in length o f the rail andthe position of the bolt hole 26a through whichY the bolt 30 extends maybe compensated iorfin' such am'anner` that the bolt 4 will eiitend'through the slot 28o in the bracket to permit therail-mchannel'2'5 tobe secured tothe newel post". The slot in the arm of the angle which is secured the newel post provides for vertical adjustment of the.y angle member. I y A n c The upperrail I3 o'f the horizontal railing` sec'- tion-includes a. channel member Which` nasa web portion 35a and sides or ilanges' 35b`a'n`d`35c and is identical in all respects to the lower' rail channel 25, but which isi positioned ulgzright.Withl the flanges, of the channel extendingupwardly. Uniformly spaced eccentric or non-circulargl preierably square or rectangular upset portions or indentations 36'are formed inth'efluriderside of the web 35a of the upperl channel 35, anda screw hole'SSa i is' formed centrally or eachindentation. Eachoj the displaced or upset portions forming the indentations 35 provides in-the indentations sidev walls 36h substantially normalfto. the` web and., an abutment surface portion 361e.v integral withA the web and displaced inwardly" of the depression or'opening and inwardly of the surfaceV of theweb remote from theilanges or sides ofthe channel. The upper rail vchannelfis vsecured to the newel post IU by/means of an angular bracket 'member` 31 which" has' one slotted'afrin 3jr; secured to the newel post by'means of a`- bolt 3 '81 extending throughY the slot`f39a in saida'rt in lthe same manneras the lower' bracket 21. l `75 The upper' bracket 315 likewise isV prvidedwith Vet 4 an elongate longitudinal slot 391) in its other arm 31h, and a bolt 40 extends through the slot 39D and through the one of the openings 35a in the upper. railfchanneli'r nearestitsfend; whereby the said-1'A upper rail channel isf'secu'red to the newel post. The slot 39o in the upper bracket 3l i's likewise preferably of a length at least equal to; the distance between the bolt holes 36a in the upper'railch-annel; whereby variations in length oninrthelnoition of the bolt hole may be compensated for.`

lt'wllbe" seeirj therefore, that both the upper and. the;r lower rail channel members 35 and 25 may be accurately tted against the newel post L0. by cutting saidmchaunel members to, theexact length refquiiedy for thelparticular installation. Euithermore, the provision' of4 the elongate slots 3mi and'll inthe upper' andl lower langle brackets as'sures'that' the bolts .''an'd' 40 will fit into the slots. regardless` of the position of the, end bolt holesin therfailchaiinels,

Cross-pieces or cross members,l such as. th vertical pickets 15,. extend' between the upper c ha'rinel 3,5. and the! lower rail channel 2.5 have their ends, Ia and l5b, respectively, lios'itiored' Ithe, indentations lili in the upper Channel and,v the inclentatior's 2,6" in the'vloWer channel, clearly shown inFigur'e 2. Screws 4,2 extend throu'gllithef screw holes' in the channels and' ar'tnrea'ded into axial threaded, openings 43"for`m'e'd in each end' of the' pickets I5, whereby' the pickets.V arefvsecurely held in place between the channel' nierrib'ers.V with their ends abutting the abutment sfllaceportions' 2.6i: and 35o'. lil/Lef` sidesluadjft; the Grids, engaging the sidewalls.zowieso, repetirse. in the! dis'- placed portions forming the indentationsin the w'ebso'the channelmembers. Manifestly,l the cross mein-bers orwpiclr'etsV may be 0`f any'desired Shape 0r coniiguration between their ends to give the desired ornamental appearance. However, it is preferable tllatthe` ends of the pickets be square or.A rectangular incon-guration to substantially fit the cindentationsV or depressions formed in thev rail members. The ends of the pickets :are covered by the side walls of the depressions or` indentations in thev rail members, whereby a pleasingv appearance is obtained when the pickets are secured therebetween. i

,o Ornamental cross members of any desired configuration Ilf'lay'alsov be secured between the upper and lowerrail channels,b-ut. for the sakeof simplicityonlythe scroll members lvare illustrated. 'Ehe scroll members are formed of flat strip metal have bolt holesv l5` formed axially of their extreme ends; whereby bolts may be inserted through; saidbolt holes:` and Willexterldthrough the screw openings 36d andV 26a of the upper and-` lower rail: channelsrespectively,y so that the scroll members may' bel secured at each end betweensaid'u-pper and lower rail channel members.' The width ofthe strip material from which the Scroll members are formedis substantially equal tothe, widthof the indentations formed in the rail channel, whereby thegextreme curved end portions; of each scroll'will'iit into said indentations or depressions'with the sides engaging the v side walls 26'ha`nd 38h; respectivelyyin'the manner illustrated in Figure 2 so that the scroll members will be positively held against' turning about' their longitudinal axis; or about thebolts 46, and will remain in the position illustrated and will' be positively held inthe plane of the vertiealfpickets '|i5;

Obviously, cros'spiecesor ornamental members of other configurations than that of a scroll may be positioned between the upper and lower rail channels and secured therebetween in the same manner as the scroll members. Furthermore, the ornamental members will be held against rotation about their longitudinal axis by the engagement of the ends of the ornamental members in the non-circular indentations formed in the rail channels.

A flat cover plate 5D, of a width equal to or slightly greater than the width of the upper channel member 35, rests upon the extreme upper ends of the anges 35h and 35e of the channel member and is held in place thereon by screws 5I which extend through openings 52 formed in said cover member and downwardly through the bolt openings 36a in the channel member and are threaded into the axial threaded openings 43 of the pickets I5. The cover plate 50 need only be secured at considerably spaced intervals to the upper rail channel, hence the openings 52 may be provided at intervals of six or eight times the intervals of the bolt holes 36a in the channel members. However, if desired, the bolt holes 52 in the cover member may be provided in identical space relationship to the bolt holes 36a of the upper channel member. Furthermore, instead of the screws 5I, an ornamental decoration, such as the decoration 55 on the upper end of the newel post, may be provided with a depending screw f or bolt which will extend through the screw holes 52 in the cover member yand may be threaded into the openings I3 in the pickets I5 to provide a decorative or ornamental substitute for the screws 5I.

Manifestly, any desired combination or arrangement `f pickets and scrolls, or other ornamental cross members, may be secured between the upper and lower rail channels to meet the desires of the user of the ornamental ironwork structure, and it is within the scope of this invention to provide for such a combination or arrangement of the pickets and ornamental members, so long as the ends of such members or pickets are arranged to engage in the indentations formed in the rail channels and be secured therein by means of the screws or bolts in the manner already described. The indentations and the bolt openings in each of the rail channels are preferably spaced at intervals of about two inches, and it is desirable that picket members I be installed and secured in each alternate indentation in the channel members. The scrolls or other ornamental members rnay therefore be secured in the intermediate indentations between each of the pickets. However, the pickets may be inserted and secured in each of the indentations, or they may be more widely spaced andother ornamental members installed and secured in the intervening or intermediate indentations in order to secure the desired ornamental effect.

The scroll members I6 or other ornamental members are so constructed and arranged that their overall length is equivalent to the overall length of the pickets I5, and the length of each of the pickets is substantially identical, whereby the pickets and the scroll members or other ornamental members are interchangeable. i Furthermore, the width of the scroll members or other ornamental members is not greater than the distance between alternate pickets, or multiples of such distance, whereby the scroll members or other ornamental members will iit between the pickets and may `be secured in the indentations formed in the channel members.

Since the entire railing structure may be assembled by means of a screw driver and a wrench, it is obvious that an unskilled workman may correctly erect and install the ornamental ironwork structure, and that any desired ornamental elect may be obtained by utilizing pickets or scrolls or other ornamental members of any desired shape and arrangement.

The cover member 5U obscures the bolts, nuts and screw heads in the upper channel 35 and presents a smooth, attractive, comfortable hand grip for the upper surface of the upper rail I3.

It is important to note that the channel members 35 and 25 are identical in configuration and may be formed in great quantities by mass production methods. Also, the scroll members and pickets are likewise of uniform interchangeable dimensions and may also be formed in great quantities by mass production methods. Due to the fact that the complete structure may be `disassembled into integral elements, the complete ornamental iron framework structure may be packed into a smaller container than would be necessary if it were shipped in an erected condition such as is necessary when the structure is welded or otherwise fabricated. 'Ihis permits shipping with less danger of damage to the structure, and also provides for more economical packaging and shipping of the structure.

Since the various ornamental elements of the ironwork structure may be removed by unscrewing the screws or disconnecting the bolts or screws holding the members in place between the rail channels, it will also be seen that at any time after the structure has been initially erected the ornamental effect may be altered or added to by the user by simply adding or inserting diierent ornamental members or changing the arrangement of such members in the structure to obtain the desired effect. Also, should one or more of the pickets or ornamental members become damage, it may readily be replaced in each section of the structure at its place of use without the necessity of tearing down the complete structure and returning it to the factory for repair.

Manifestly, the upper and lower rail channels may be formed in short arcuate sections, such as that illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, to provide for curved or angular sections in the ironwork structure. Other than being arcuate in form, the curved channel is identical in structure to the straight rail channels.`

The details of structure and the manner `o1 assembling of the elements of the inclined railing sectionl I2 are illustrated in Figures 6 through 8 inclusive, wherein the lower rail I8 is formed by an inverted channel member 60 having a web portion 60a and sides or flanges 60h and 60e with its flanges extending downwardly. A plurality of uniformly spaced displaced or upset portions in the form of longitudinally extending tongue or lug members 6I are Vformed in the transverse web portion 6nd of the channel member by `cutting through the web or base portion of the channel member on three sides of the tongue member and bending said tongue member inwardly into the channel along the uncut side `of such tongue 'member lat an angle of about thirty degrees,` or

any other desired suitable angle. Elongate longitudinally extending holes or notches 62 are formed in each of the tongue members, extending inwardly from the free end of the tongue toward the uncut rear side of said tongue, as clearly shown in Figures 7 and 8, for receiving screws 63 by means of which the vertical pickets or balusters 9 or the scrolls 20 or other ornamental cross members may be secured to said rail channel, as will hereinafter be more fully explained. The displaced portions or openings forming the openings Gla at'the tongue members 6| provide side walls 6|b substantially normal to the web and an abutment surface portion Glc on the surface of the tongue integral with the web and disposed inwardly of the opening and invwardly of the surface of the web remote from the flanges or sides of the channel.

The lower rail channel is connected at each end to a newel post Ill by means of an angle bracket member E4 which has one slotted arm 64a positively secured to said newel post by a bolt |55 extending through the newel post and the slot opening 66a in said arm of the bracket member. The other arm Mb of the bracket has formed therein an elongate longitudinally extending slot 66h through which a bolt 6l may be inserted to extend through one of the holes or notches 52 formed in the web portion of the lower rail channel E) for securely aixing said lower rail channel to the newel post. rIhe tongue member in which such notch is formed is attened into the plane of the web prior to connection to the angle. The length of the slot 66h is preferably at least equal to the space between adjacent notches in the rail channel tongues.

The upper inclined rail of the inclined rail- .f

ing sections includes an upper rail channel 'l0 which has a web portion ma and sides or flanges 10b and 'Hic and is identical in all respects to the lower rail channel 59, having uniformly spaced displaced or upset portions 'ma in the form i of longitudinally extending tongue or lug members 1| formed in the transverse web portion of said channel by cutting through the web portion of the channel on three sides of the tongue member and bending the tongue member inwardly vinto the channel along the uncut sides of such tongue member at the desired angle. The displaced portions or openings forming the openings 'lla at the tongue members 1| provide side walls 'Hb substantially normal to the web and an abutment surface portion 'llc on the surface of the tongue integral with the web and disposed inwardly of the opening and inwardly of the surface of the web remote from the flanges or sides of the channel. The upper rail channel, however, is positioned upright so that the anges are directed upwardly. Elongateulongitudinally eX- tending holes or notches 12 are formed in each tongue member 1| of the upper rail channel and are adapted to receive screws 13 which extend through the notches and into the threaded axial openings in the picket members or balusters I9 for securely holding said picket members or balusters in place between the upper and lower rail channels.

It will be seen that the upper and lower end portions Illa and |9b, respectively of the pickets or balusters extend into the openings formed in the transverse web portion of the upper and lower channel members and abut against the abutment surface portions Slc and 'llc of the bent tongue members, whereby engagement of the square or rectangular pickets or baluster members with the sides Blb and 15b, respectively, of the openings prevents the pickets or balusters from turning about their longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the sides of the opening and the anges of the rail hide or conceal the ends of the pickets or baluster members whereby a pleasing appearance is obtained.

Scroll members 20 or other'ornamental me'mbers may be secured between the upper and lower rail channels in the manner illustrated in Figure 6, a rectangular spacer member being inserted between the extreme ends of the scroll members and the inclined tongues 1|, whereby the scroll members abut against the substantially horizontal lower ends of the spacer members and are secured by bolts 8| extending through the holes in the extreme ends of the scroll members, through the spacer members and through the notches 12 in the tongue members.

The upper rail channel 'l0 is secured to the newel post by means of an angle bracket 14 which has one slotted arm 14a aixed to the newel post by a bolt 'I5 extending through said post and the slot opening 16a in said arm of the bracket member, the other arm 'Mb of the bracket being provided with an elongate longitudinally extending slot 16h which is adapted to receive a bolt 'VI which extends through said slot and through the one of the tongue member notches 12 in the transverse web portion of the upper rail channel nearest the end of the channel, whereby said rail channel is secured in place to the newel post. The tongue member is flattened into the plane of the channel web prior t0 making each connection.

A cover member or plate having a. width substantially equal to or slightly greater than the width of the upper channel member 10 rests upon the extreme upper ends of the side flanges 10b and 10c of the channel member and is secured in place thereon by means of screws 86 which extend through openings formed in said cover member and spaced from each other the same distance as the holes 52 of the cover plate 50 already described for the non-inclined rail. The screws are threaded into holes 86a tapped in the web of the upper inclined channel at points spaced to correspond to the spacing of the holes in the cover plates. Thus, the same cover plate may be used for both the inclined and noninclined rails. The spacing of the openings formed in the cover member may be in a desired multiple of the spacing between tongue members, whereby each cover member may be secured in place on the upper channel at the desired number of points necessary to properly secure the cover against displacement.

In use, the pickets and scroll members are all connected between the upper rail channel 'I0 and the lower rail channel 60, and the rail channels are secured at one end to one of the newel posts on the inclined stair or ramp. If the angle of the assembly is not correct for tting the angle or rake of the stairs, the upper rail channel may be pressed downwardly or lifted upwardly to the correct position. The angle bracket members E4 and 14 and the tongue members 6| and 1| are bendable, and the notches in the tongue members allow the screws or bolts extending therethrough to move, to permit such adjustment, so that the angle or rake of the stair railing may be changed as desired to fit any stair or ramp. When the correct angle of the inclined railing section has been obtained by such adjustment, the other ends of the rail channel-s are secured by means of slotted obtuse angle brackets (not shown) to the lower newel post in the-same manner as the upper ends are secured by means of the acute angle brackets to the upper newel post.

Obviously, the selection and arrangement of the pickets or balusters and the ornamental scrolls or other ornamental cross members secured between the upper and lower rail channels may be varied to suit the desires of the user. The changes or alterations in the arrangement may be made in the same manner as the alterations were made in the horizontal section of railing.

It is important to note that `upset portions forming the openings 'Ha and 6| a in the upper and lower rail channel members are suiciently long and spaced sufficiently far apart to permit.

a considerable variation in theanglepf the railing and yet to be adequate to receive and accomfV end of the stairs, or at the lower end `of the stairs i if desired, whereupon the` angle at which the inclined railing section extends may be varied by pressing upwardly or downwardly upon the loose end of the railing section to bring the loose end to the desired position. The flexing of the tongue members about their uncut edge, the ilexingof the angle brackets, and the provision of `the notches in the tongue members and slots in the angle brackets, permit such adjustment in angle of the assembled inclined railing section. T he elongate slots 66h and 16h in the angle brackets also permit a variation in position in the bolts 61 and VI extendingthrough the slots or notches formed in the tongue members, whereby it is assured that the rail channels may be positively connected to the newel posts. i

`It will be seen that the displaced or upset pori tions providing the indentations 2E form spaced displaced portions or openings in the web por,- tion of the rail channel members providinguin the indentations sidewalls 2Gb Asubstantially normal to the web and an abutment surface pori tion 26e integral with the web and disposed in-` wardly of the opening and inwardly ofthe sur.- face of the web remote from the flanges orsides of the channel. Likewise, such displaced por'A tions or openings forming displaced portions or openings Gla at the tongue members-6l provide` side walls Glb substantially normal to the web and an abutment surface portion Sic on the sur-` face of the tongue integral with the web and disposed inwardly of the opening and inwardly of the `surface of the web remote from `the flanges or sides of the channel. Theends of the cross members thus abut the abutment surface portions 26c or Slc and the sides 26h and 6th, re-` spectively, of the openings formed by the in` dentation or the tongue member opening. Since the upset portions providing the tongue members and indentations formed in the upper and lower rail channel members are eccentric or non-circular, it is manifest that the non-circular or eccentric cross-sectional ends of the pickets, balusters, scrolls and other ornamental cross members engaging in such indentations are positively held against rotation about their longitudinal axis, whereby the ornamental arrangement is preserved. Furthermore, the engagement of the ends of the pickets, scrolls, etc., abutment `with the upset portions forming in such ,non-circular indentations and the engagement of the sides of the pickets, scrolls, etc., with the side walls of the upset portionsV or indentations` provides forarigid the.

Furthermore, the sides of theppenings substantial ironwork structure, of smooth, pleasing appearance.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the constructions illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended` claims,` without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

. 1. An ironwork structure including, a first rail member having spaced upset portions in the form of eccentric indentations formed in one surface thereof, a second rail member spaced from said rst `rail `member and having spaced upset portions in the form of eccentric indentations formed in one surface, the surfaces of said rail members having the indentations therein being positioned to face each other, baluster cross members each having an eccentric end portion at each end, said cross members extending between said rail members and each` having one end portion disposed in one of the indentations in o ne rail member and its other end portion disposed in one of the indentations in the otherrail member, releasable connecting means extending through the rail member into the ends of the cross members for securely detachably connecting the ends of the cross members to said rail `members and positively detachably holding said end portions in abutting engagement in said indentations, ornamental members of an `overall length substantially equal to the length of said cross members and extending between said rail members and connecting means extending` rail member, the engagement of said end portions of the ornamental members in said indentations holding said ornamental members against rotation about their longitudinal axis.

2.'An` ornamental ironwork structure of the character set forth in claim 1, wherein the` ends of the spaced elongate rail members are detach-` ably and adjustably secured to supporting means, the means for connecting each of said rail members to said supporting means including a bracket member having an elongate slot formed therein for receiving a bolt extending through a rail member andthrough said slot whereby theposition of the bolt with respect to the bracket member may vary` throughout the length` of1 the slot in the bracket to compensate variations inthe position of such `bolt with respect to the endof i the rail member. i i i 3. An ironwork structure including,` spaced elongate rail members each 4having a plurality of uniformly spaced eccentric upset portions formed therein facing toward theother rail` member said upset portions being in the form of tongue members connected at. one end with said rail` rail member atoneend of the 'slotandbendable along the line of juncture, cross piece members having eccentric ends, Vsaid cross `membersextending between said trail. members andieach having .one end disposed in one of ftheupset por.- tionsin one rail vmember and securely detachably` `connected in abutting. engagementuto. the tongue 11 member at such upset portion, said crosspiece members each having its other end disposed in one of the upset portions in the other rail member and securely detachably connected in abutting engagement to the tongue member at such upset portion.

4. In an ironwork structure having spaced rail members and connecting cross piece members releasably connected with said rail members, means on the rail members for positioning the cross piece members with respect t said rail members and including, a rail member in the form of a channel section having sides with a web portion joining the sides, said web portion having spaced upset portions formed therein in the form of longitudinally extending tongueA members each connected at one end with the web of the channel member, said tongue members being otherwise free of connection with the channel member and bendable along the line of juncture with the Web of the channel member, each tongue member having an elongate longitudinal hole formed therein.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a rail member for an ornamental ironwork structure, which rail member comprises an elongate channel having sides with a web portion joining the sides, said web portion having a plurality of.'

spaced upset portions formed therein in the form of eccentric indentations formed in the surface of the web portion of the channel facing away from the sides of said channel, said channel having an opening smaller than the indentation extending through the web portion in each indentation.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a rail member for an ornamental ironwork structure, which rail member comprises an elongate channel having sides with a web portion joining the sides, said web portion having a plurality of spaced upset portions formed therein in the form of eccentric longitudinally extending tongue members integral with the web portion of the channel and projecting at an angle therefrom between the sides of the channel, each tongue member having an elongate longitudinal hole therein, said tongue members being bendable along the line of juncture of said tongue members with the web portion of the channel.

7. In an ironwork structure having spaced rail members and connecting cross piece members releasably connected with said rail members, means on the rail members for positioning the cross piece members with respect to said rail members and including, a rail member element having a body portion, said body portion having spaced upset portions therein in the form of longitudinally extending tongue members each connected at one end with the rail member, said tongue members being otherwise free of connection with the rail member and bendable along the line of juncture with the rail member, each tongue member having an elongate longitudinal opening formed therein, cross members each having one end disposed in one of the .upset portions abutting the tongue member, and means extending through each of `said longitudinal openings for detachably securing each Aof said tongue members to the end of an associated cross member.

8. An ironwork structure including, .a 'pair of elongate rail members, each of `said rail membersl being in the form of a channel having a web and a ,pair of parallel .side flanges, .said web vbeing provided with 'aplurality of longitudinally spaced 12y upset portions, and a tongue member at each upset portion integral with said web and projecting at an angle therefrom between the side flanges of the channel, said rail members being disposed in spaced parallel relation with the Webs of the channels nearest each other; and a plurality of cross piece members extending between the webs and having eccentric end portions of substantially the same cross-sectional configuration as lsaid openings, opposite ends of each cross piece member being disposed in corresponding openings of the webs and abutting the tongue members at the openings; and means detachably.

securing the tongue members to the ends of the cross piece members.

9. An ornamental ironwork structure including: a first channel section having sides with a Web portion joining the sides, a second channel section having sides with a web portion joining the sides, said second channel member being disposed parallel to said first channel member with their Web portions nearest each other; cross members joining the web portions of the channel sections, said cross members having ends of eccentric configuration; spaced upset portions in the web portions of the channel sections, said upset portions forming spaced openings defined by portions of the web providing side walls substantially normal to the web and an abutmentv surface portion integral with the web and disposed inwardly of the opening and inwardly of the surface of the web remote from the sides of the channel and being of a shape conforming substantially to the eccentric configuration of the ends of the cross members; said cross member ends abutting the abutment surface portion of the openings and engaging corresponding side Walls defining said openings; each of said upset portions being provided with an aperture in the abutment surface portion; and securing means extending through said apertures into securing engagement with the ends of the cross members, the space between the sides of each channel member providing access to the securing means for securing the cross members in place to said channel members with the ends of said cross members engaged in the openings and held against rotation in said openings, and the sides of the channel member laterally concealing the securing means.

10. An ornamental ironwork structure of the character set forth in claim 9, wherein the upset portions in the web portions in the channel sec-v tions are in the form of eccentric indentations in said web portion.

11. An ornamental ironwork structure of the character set forth in claim 9, wherein the upset portions in the web portions in the channel sections are in the form of Viiexible tongue members.

f PHILIP C. LINDMAN.

References Cited in the le .of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

